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High school musicians, listen up: the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra is holding auditions by appointment Saturday. The orchestra is focusing on recruiting students who play string instruments like violin, viola and bass, but students who play all instruments are encouraged to audition.

The auditions for 10th-12th graders will be overseen by Maestro Bruce Kiesling, who was hired in June as the new music director.

Kiesling is also the music director for the Tulare County Symphony Orchestra and the conductor for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. In the past, he's led student performances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

"The quality level that he's committed to and that he's able to inspire students to achieve is one of the reasons we're so thrilled to have him here," said Steven Sabel, public relations manager for the symphony association.

In April, the formerly independent orchestra came under the management of the Pasadena Symphony Association.

The change allows the Pasadena Symphony Association to provide continuous orchestral opportunities for 4th to 12th graders. The association also oversees the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra and All City Orchestra.

The Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra has 65 spots - some of which will be filled by students who were in the orchestra last season. Tuition is $520 for the school year, but the orchestra offers some scholarships.

The orchestra practices once a week and will perform three concerts during the school year.

Auditions cost $30 in advance or $40 on Saturday and will take place at Gooden School in Sierra Madre. The application is available online.